Get Crafty with GapKids Shine On Saturdays

This post is sponsored by GapKids. Check out all the fun Shine On activities at your nearest Gap store. For event dates and locations, visit Gap’s Facebook page and join the conversation on Twitter with hashtag #ShineOn.

It's no secret, my boys hate to go shopping with me, but there are times when they have no choice in the matter.  Keeping them occupied while I shop for new duds for them is somewhat of a challenge.  Having them create art while I shop is even better.

Throughout the month of August, GapKids hosted Shine On Saturdays, a crafting session for designed for kids.  The DIY projects at select GapKids stores were designed by Merrilee Liddiard of Mer Mag.  

The projects were inspired by the GapKids and babyGap fall collection, including the best new 1969 denim - Jewel Box Skinnies for girls (the new skinny jean updated in bright stretchy denim) and Action Stretch Denim for boys (designed for play all day- it’s denim that’s made to move).

For my Miami (& South Broward) peeps, check out GapKids Shine On Saturday this Saturday, August 25 10am-1pm GapKids @ Adventura Mall on the lower level (19575 Biscayne Blvd. Suite 331).  This week the kiddos will be making an animal character badge.

 

You have one more week to check out the GapKids Shine On Saturday event at GapKids locations across the country with fun activities designed just for the kiddies!        I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.        Alexis

Little Love Notes ~ A Back to School Tradition with Hallmark

Back to School season completely crept up on us in this house.  I don't even really feel that I prepared my guys for the transition between summer and school.  So, when the first day came, I wanted to add words of encouragement and love to my boys' day.  I wanted them to know that I was with them through their trek back into routine.  What better to show my love and affection than with cards and notes?  

When I think of cards, the name Hallmark comes to the front of my mind.  I could literally spend hours in my local Hallmark store reading all of the cards and thinking of the people I would like to give them to.  

Hallmark, the leader in the card and stationery business, is challenging parents to celebrate accomplishments and build confidence in kids.  

With a unique array of cards, Story Buddies, Bug 'Em pouches, and recordable artwork and books, your child will always know that you care.  

I love how the cards are simply written and with fun designs to appeal to children of all ages.  (Even "The Nag" was able to read his card on his own!)  I slipped a secret card into the boys' backpacks before school.  I also used Hallmark's Lunch Notes to give them little words of love in their lunchboxes.  There are also reminders to behave while at school and good luck for events at school.

Little reminders for "Little Ricky" on his first day.

Just a quick note for "The Nag" to know he's not alone.

I'm saving the Bug 'Em pouch for times when my guys need a little more affection than usual.  You can stuff it with pocket sized treats.

So, as you prepare your kids for their Back to School routine, why not add a little surprise love to their day with special cards and notes?


What words of encouragement do you use when talking to your child?



**I received samples of Hallmark products to review for this post.  All opinions are my own.**

Alexis

No More Babies

So we are in the first week of school.  
A time for new beginnings, fresh starts, and new classrooms.

"Little Ricky" started 2nd grade this week.  2nd grade!  
My baby is no longer a baby. 
He was so ready to begin his new year.  Ready to show what he knows and prove that he is a big kid.  (Not to mention, to prove to his little brother that he knows all about 1st grade...)

"The Nag" was a little more jittery.  Even though he knew everyone going in, first grade was a bit more of a challenge for him.  He was also very excited, but more nervous of what to expect.

Picking them up after the first day, they were full of stories about what they did and which of their friends showed up in the same class.  ("The Nag" was also so wiped out he fell asleep in the car on the way home.)

So, as the new school year started, I too was nervous for my little guys, but I also felt sadness that they are no longer babies, but big kids ready to take on a new school year.

How was the new start to your school year?
 

Alexis

In Need of a Magic Wand

Do you hear that sound?  
It's the collective groaning of all teachers everywhere.  
Summer is over. 

Time to set up the classroom.
Time to label desks, cubbies, books, EVERYTHING with the students' names.
Time to plan, prepare, and organize.

Time to get a Magic Wand......

I have SOOOO much to do.  My classroom is FULL of boxes all waiting to be unpacked.  I have labels to print, plans to write and a schedule to coordinate.  

And it all has to be done before a new flock of first graders come in to meet me for the first time....no pressure.  

Oh well, it will get done.  It always does.  
I will just have to set up the air mattress at the back of the room.... 

WISH ME LUCK!!  I will need that and a bit of magic!!



Alexis

Look Mom, We're On TV!!

There's no denying, my kids love watching TV.  They are constantly reciting lines from their shows and from movies.  That's why when we were asked to film a Back to School segment for our local Fox news channel, I said yes.

The boys were beyond excited (and I'll admit so was I).  

We arrived at the downtown Miami Staples store where we would be filming and got a chance to look for some of the new back to school items that were on sale.  Of course the boys were enticed by the personal tablets and gladly demonstrated how to play games on them.  

 
















Then it was show time.

"The Nag" got shy and said he didn't want to talk.  "Little Ricky" was eager to prove that he was big.   

After the speaking part, we had to walk around the store and "shop."  The boys were such naturals and loved doing multiple takes with some actions.  When they were done, they would yell "and scene...." or "CUT!"  They keep me on my toes! 

Check out our finished product:



WSVN-TV -




Next stop, our own reality show....Keeping Up With The Prietos!
 

Alexis

Share a Haircut with Hair Cuttery

Back to school means looking sharp!  That means new clothes, new shoes, and haircuts.  This year we decided to go to Hair Cuttery for our new 'dos.  


Did you know if you visit your local Hair Cuttery salon from August 1st to August 15th, you will help them reach their goal of 75,000 haircuts?  Every time a haircut is purchased for a child 18 years or younger, a free haircut will be donated to a child in need in the community.  How cool is that?  Not only will your kid look good, you will help other kids look good too!

Last year, Hair Cuttery donated more than 3,500 haircuts to children in need in the South Florida community alone.  And they've donated more than 625,000 haircuts since we started the program in 1999.  That's a lot of hair!

We recently visited our local Hair Cuttery and loved the special treatment we got from the stylists.  The lollipop at the end wasn't bad either!

Only a little off the top!

He's getting way too big...

Looking good & ready for school!

Share a haircut on Hair Cuttery's Facebook page and help children in need look good for the first day of school.


You can visit Hair Cuttery online to find a salon near you. 




**Disclosure:  Although I was compensated to share this worthy cause, all opinions are my own.


Alexis

BJs Wholesale Club ~ The Go-To Place For Back to School

Where did the summer go?  I'm not ready to leave "Summer Stay at Home Mom" routine to get back to the grind!!

With summer almost over, the back to school shopping season is upon us.   It's the time that the sales for pencils, crayons, and backpacks start showing up in the stores.  Did you know that I LOVE new school supplies?  A fresh notebook and cool pens are so fun!  I know I'm weird.


Having two school-aged boys in the house really takes a toll on my wallet at this time of the year.  They both need everything to get ready for school, so I try to save money and stay sane at every turn.  Not to mention being a teacher also hurts the wallet a bit because there are certain supplies that I need and want for the classroom. 

Crayons & pencils & pens, OH MY!

What better place to stock up on the supplies that we all need for school than BJs Wholesale Club?  BJs is a one-stop shopping destination for name brand, high-quality food and merchandise.  BJs has everything you need to cross off the items on your back to school list.  



Both boys need multiple pencils, folders and glue sticks.  Why not get it in bulk?  They also need tissue boxes, wipes and Ziplocs.  It's a no-brainer!

Everything we need to get ready for school lunches!

A pack of 3 bins?  Perfect for organizing my classroom!

You can't forget about school lunches.  BJs offers many of the lunch items that my kids love.  From sandwich items to snacks, I can get it all!  Check out this BJs Backstage Sandwich Palooza video on how to make-over your lunch using all items from BJs.  

Why didn't they have these when I went to college...so retro!

And don't even get me started on all the items for the college aged kids.  Wow!  They didn't have this cool stuff when I was leaving for college.  Maybe I should go back....

Don't forget to use the BJs coupons for extra savings!

Did you know that BJs is the only wholesale club to accept manufacturer's coupons?  That's one of the mains reason I joined.  Who doesn't love to save money?  You can also partner your manufacturer's coupons with BJs in house coupons as well.  OH YEAH!  Check out their coupon policy here.

And BJ’s offers discounts on gift cards.  Many of the major retailer $25 gift cards that they sell go for $23.99.  That’s right, you’re payling less than the value of the card.  Perfect gifts for your child's teachers....hint, hint!




If you like to save money & you’re not a BJ’s Wholesale Club member, you can get a free one day pass here and start shopping.




Disclaimer:  I was a guest blogger at a local BJs Wholesale Club for their Back to School promotion.  All opinions expressed are my own.

 Alexis

Didn't School Just End?

I can't believe that it's time for school to begin again!  Didn't it just end?

I mean seriously....it was just yesterday that I was packing up my classroom and saying goodbye to my first graders.  Now, here I am just 2 short days away from the beginning of another school year; assigning new books, making new name tags, and buying last minute supplies. 

I just got into my summertime routine of waking up late, going to the gym in the mornings, starting a blog....

Now I have to go back to my "real" life of waking up at the crack of dawn to get dressed, pulling two sleepy boys out of bed, fighting with said boys about brushing teeth and getting dressed, teaching 20 first graders, staying late to grade papers and set up the classroom, driving home in traffic, helping with homework, cooking dinner, bathing kids, reading stories, convincing boys to go to sleep, and creating lessons before doing my household chores and going to sleep!  EVERY DAY for 180 days of school!

I'm already exhausted and it's not even the first day of school yet!

And I wouldn't change it for anything!
(Well, maybe if I won the lottery, I could get used to being a stay at home mom!)


Alexis

The Children's Place, The Right Place for Fall

Too cool for school!

So, it's back to school time!  My favorite time of year because it's an excuse to shop for new pencils, books, pens, and .... CLOTHES!

I was invited to attend a Back to School event at The Children's Place this past week.  You don't have to ask me twice when shopping is involved!  With boys who grow faster than a weed, I am in constant need for new clothes for them.  Not to mention with the lack of cold days that we have here, we are never prepared for cold weather clothes.  Not this year....

The Children's Place is showing their recent fall must haves.  Of course the girl clothes were simply adorable, but I can't shop on that side of the store.  I shopped for the boys by planning ahead to our yearly trip to Disney when the weather is cooler.

Apparently he thinks he's a model!

For boys, they have great layering pieces which come in handy for putting on and taking off for our crazy Florida weather.  I picked up lined athletic pants that my kids wanted to wear out of the store (um, it's 95 degrees out!).  I also got some great long sleeved shirts that can be used alone, under their school uniforms, or with a plaid button down.

Their future's so bright....

Of course I had to give into one of the kids' requests....cool sunglasses!  They haven't taken them off yet...seriously.


Head on over to The Children's Place for affordable fall must haves!



Although I received a gift card and chose the outfits that I used for this review, all opinions are my own.  Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.


Alexis